Speed Racer: The Next Generation "In The Beginning" Talkback (Spoilers)

[RonDrakenfan17]

Any one excited for this? I saw an episode on Demand and I really liked it. Look foward to the next episode alas I have to wait for May 2. I came onto these forums to see if any one else was looking forward to the show on NicktoonsTV besides me?

[Harlan_Phoenix]

I wanna give it a shot, but I'm rather skeptical. I think the concept's a bit cliche...

Is the original Speed Racer series the only one considered by Next Gen to be in continuity?

[RonDrakenfan17]

I wanna give it a shot, but I'm rather skeptical. I think the concept's a bit cliche...

Is the original Speed Racer series the only one considered by Next Gen to be in continuity?

Well since it wasn't made by the creator itself and wasn't made by Japan, no. This show was done by America it is not considered canon to the Speed Racer show which sucks. Cool thing is they have the real Speed Racer voice actor doing one of the characters on the show :)

[Harlan_Phoenix]

Well since it was made by the creator itself and in Japan yes sadly. Since this show was done by America it is not considered canon to the Speed Racer show which sucks. Cool thing is they have the real Speed Racer doing one of the voice actors on the show :)

I'd appreciate it if you made this post make sense...because your first two sentences contradict each other.

[Lavenderpaw]

Any one excited for this? I saw an episode on Demand and I really liked it. Look foward to the next episode alas I have to wait for May 2. I came onto these forums to see if any one else was looking forward to the show on NicktoonsTV besides me?

I use to watch it all the time,but come on.They can't possibly make new shows of ALL Live Action cartoon-based movies,can they?

[Harlan_Phoenix]

I use to watch it all the time,but come on.They can't possibly make new shows of ALL Live Action cartoon-based movies,can they?

I'm not really all that opposed to it. As long as the shows are good.

[RonDrakenfan17]

I'd appreciate it if you made this post make sense...because your first two sentences contradict each other.

Sorry about that pal, fixed it.

[Starbro]

Eh, the 'next gen' plot sounds a bit cheesy to me; it reminds me of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX in a way. I think I'd actually prefer if Larry Schwarz & co. had just done their own take on the original show (like the live-action movie that this show is obviously meant to cash in on) rather than try to cook up a story line involving Speed's orphaned son and all that. But I'm willing to give Animation Collective a fair shake.

It's also worth mentioning that the pilot episode is 90 minutes long. 90 minutes? Wow, Nicktoons Network is clearly banking on this show being a success. Here's hoping it pays off.

[ShadowGUN]

Speaking of the pilot, those rest of the series uses the same style of animation as this trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkMwl2cJafQ) for the pilot shows? Because if it does I might no be that interested in it.

[PeppeRaskell1]

I'm wondering myself how faithful it will be to the original Speed Racer/Mach a Go Go Go. Will there be all sorts of crazy races around the world? Who will hide in the trunk of the Mach5, now that Spritle's a grown man (and Headmaster of the Academy yet!) and Chim-Chim's a robot?

[Sonic_Eclipse]

As stupid as this looks, I'm going to give it a shot. It'll probably be canceled in its first season.

I just understand why they couldn't do their own spin on the original series instead of trying to extend it.

[stephane dumas]

I'd give a shot too and we could compare it with the 1990s remake then Fred Wolf did, here the opening credits of the remake http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhLAOuRioZE

[ZumbidoMetal]

The animation looks really poor and the cgi racing scenes look extremely generic and cheap. I'll check out the pilot but I'm not expecting it to be any good.

[Blackstar]

The Speed Racer: Next Gen pilot is a record 90 minutes long. That's longer than I've anything from Animation Collective run. I was surprised that AC was able to stretch an episde of Kappa Mikey into a full hour.

Also, I have to agree with what's been said here already that I would have preferred a retelling of the original Speed Racer series updated for the 21st century. I'll try to catch the premiere, but I'm just not feeling the Next Gen format here.

[Lord Mawdryn]

The animation looks really poor...
Part of me thinks that it might have been somewhat intentional. It does kind of have that same type of "blockish" animation style of the original, IMO...

[MegaJ]

I just saw the preview on Nickelodeon. The animation's really bugging me, which is sad because I might like this if a better animation studio tackled this. It was good, not great. I think I might like it if I saw it regularly.

[thundarr82]

The biggest difference between Fred Wolf's Speed Racer and Speed Racer TNG is that the new cartoon is a sequel to the original and not a remake of the classic original. To me...if there are differences with the original concept it doesn't matter as much since you are dealing with a sequel. SR:TNG is the equivilent to Batman Beyond. Instead of an older Bruce Wayne with a new Batman, you have an older Spritle Racer with the son of Speed.

[spyke]

The Speed Racer: Next Gen pilot is a record 90 minutes long. That's longer than I've anything from Animation Collective run. I was surprised that AC was able to stretch an episde of Kappa Mikey into a full hour.

Actually, the pilot movie (minus commercial breaks) is about 66 minutes long. With commercials, the movie is about 90 minutes long. It should be noted that this pilot movie is actually the first 3 episodes of the series combined to make a movie.

And yes, I saw the movie pilot. I thought the movie pilot was (at it's best) "OK" and (at it's worst) "terrible". All in all, I was underwhelmed by the movie pilot. God, I wish they would bring back the much superior SPEED RACER X.

[ROBOTRON]

:shrug: - The previews make it look pretty stupid. I'll watch an episode or two...but I'm pretty sure its poor quality.

[Ed Liu]

You know, I have to admit that I think that fans of the original Speed Racer love more what the show represented than what it actually did. I was too young to get into Speed Racer (I'm a Battle of the Planets/Star Blazers kid), but my brother-in-law absolutely LOVES the show. After watching a few episodes, I thought the animation was terrible and the plots were strained beyond the breaking point of believability.

Still, there's clearly SOMETHING there that grabbed the imagination of the kids, and if I had to pinpoint something, it's the same reason why Cars has become the second Pixar merchandising phenomenon after Toy Story. Kids (especially boys) dig cars, and if Speed Racer was something you picked up on at the right age, it'll be something that will take up permanent residence in your mental landscape forever after. Objectively, the original SR was a terrible show, but it really tapped into the imagination of all those kids who could pretend they were driving that awesome Mach 5. Kids didn't enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed the potential that the show represented.

So, really, I think pointing out that the next Speed Racer cartoon isn't very good isn't necessarily something that will work against it. For the kids who are encountering an adventuring car for the first time, it'll be good enough. The real star of the show is the car and the wish-fulfillment that it represents.

For the record, the above observation about the original Speed Racer show is why I think the Wachowskis wanted to do the movie, and if it succeeds at all, it will be because the generation of kids who grew up with the show are now parents and will be bringing THEIR kids to get hooked all over again.

My wife and I also have a stupid pet theory that Speed Racer is really a Buddhist parable of samsara, with Speed in a perpetual race to get ahead, never realizing that he's never getting anywhere at all and won't until he breaks free of the illusion and steps off the racetrack. But that's just us messing around ;).

-- Ed

[Bakasama]

You know, I have to admit that I think that fans of the original Speed Racer love more what the show represented than what it actually did. I was too young to get into Speed Racer (I'm a Battle of the Planets/Star Blazers kid), but my brother-in-law absolutely LOVES the show. After watching a few episodes, I thought the animation was terrible and the plots were strained beyond the breaking point of believability.

Yeah but there's fair number of adults that know this and still enjoy the show. It's like watching a bad but entertaining movie, like "Road House". They know it's bad but they can't help being entertained by it. I suppose the camp is why many people remember the show.

[RonDrakenfan17]

I wasn't really a fan of the orginal series myself but I'm going to go see the live action movie and I personally think this new one is cool. I like how Speed is unwear that his father isn't Speed Racer himself and think its cool how he's a great driver like his dad :)
I don't mind the animation myself but I guess thats me.

[tucsoncoyote]

Actually after catching the first episode (or is it 3 episodes since this is a 90 minute movie of sorts, Here's my thoughts on Speed Racer: The Next Generaltion.

First off if you're not an original Speed Racer fan from the 1970's then when you look at this, and you haven't seen the original, then really this show isn't worth the time.

But if you are a Speed Racer fan of the old school and take a look at the new show, then shift into 2nd Gear.


If this was based on the Canon angle I would say then this is not a bad continuity storyline of what happened to Speed and his family after he became world Champion...

In short it's amazing that Speed had two sons (one named 'X' (Probably after his brother Rex Racer aka Racer X and of course "Speed Jr."

of course when you look at the new characters that team up with Speed you have to admit, there's a bit of fun mixed into this storyline.

First up Lucy. Now I like her as she's the no nonsense type much like 'Sparky' was in the old series. Her sometimes brash angle gets a little in the way, but in some ways Lucy is part Trixie, Part Sparky, and smarter than most racing car mechanics who are part of a pit crew. I think Lucy really gives this show a good edge already..

Then there's Conor..He's a little bit of a "Speed" Freak and in fact Conor is the next generation of "Spridle" (who interestingly enough is the dean of this racing academy and probably started the idea at the behest of his benefactor. But Conor is just a pure cut up (Oh sure! Blame the Monkey!)

and speaking of Monkies... There's "cyber" Chim-Chim.. A robotic Monkey with more spunk than the original Chim Chim of days gone yore...

But when you try and compare Speed Racer (the Original) to this one (The Next Generation), you can see that there the similarities end...and the show hits neutral...

But still it's funny.. Here's the son of a legend, and he has a brother who's name is "X". coincidence?

then there's that new fangled engine.. what drives the new and improved Mach 6? It's hard to say.

But does this live up to the original 1970's legend? Not quite.. but it comes fairly close for not being canon..

I feel that if they had gone back to the original anime style (Which they couldn't really), then this show does have the heart of the original.. it just lacks the power of it. (Try shoving a 4 cylinder Honda engine into a Lambroghini.. it's just not there..)


But the new show does show potential.. after all this is supposed to be the future.. some 30 years from the old days.. and in the end, this show does get a bit of a green flag from me..I just feel that seeing the rivalry and the villains being there not as spectacular as the original storyline of the 1970's..

So is Speed Racer the Next Generation a flat tire? Hardly.. it has the potential, but it lacks the power.. it could go places if they start working the idea a little more.. But like I said, this show has the heart.. but not the drive..

Speed Racer: The Next Generation: The Beginning, gets 2.5 out of 5 stars from me.. After all it could be the next generation of action genre, but in the end, I blame the monkey for this not so great start..

:coyote:

[zoombie]

It was okay, I knew immedately that Spead Jr. and X were brothers. But I am disappointed that they revealed that already, and they seemingly gained some respect for one another.

I was hoping they would not find out that fact yet, and the two remain enemies for a while, and build respect and maybe even friendship over time.

Though am I only who actully took to X's side in the beginning when Spead Jr. did Spead Sr. moves, he didn't know that was also Spead's son, from his prospective that is a stranger. If I was him, I would be pissed off too.

[Racattack!Force]

First off if you're not an original Speed Racer fan from the 1970's then when you look at this, and you haven't seen the original, then really this show isn't worth the time.
I disagree. With only knowing a bit about the original series, without even seeing it, I completely found this show an enjoyable experience. And I'm not saying that because I want Lionsgate to pay me for writing a review on the DVD. Which they want me to do. Anyway, this show is pretty amazing, and I didn't know Animation Collective had it in them do animation like this.

[RonDrakenfan17]

Ok so appearntly they didn't show the full episode on Demand so I got to see it all and I liked what I saw. I also was a bit disapointed that they revealed the whole brother thing this early but I saw that coming a mile away any ways. But next weeks episode it looks like they push there brother rivalry to another step. I'll check out that one, but yah so far I've been enjoying it. The characters are all likeable, the villains are pretty funny too :)
I just hope Speed finds out what the villains are up to soon, I can't wait for his reaction to that should be fun.
Um should we post this as a talkback thread? No one else made a Speed Racer Next Generation talk back thread :(

[Rud]

i liked it, though i havent seenm the original Speed Racer, i saw the one that aired in Nick a few years back.

[PC!]

Choppy animation works for a comedy show like Kappa Mikey, but it doesn't cut it for an action show. Color me uninterested.

[80's guy]

The show is okay, just wish that animation was like Avatar. Larry Schwarz might have been a Speed Racer fan.

[asphaltviking64]

Its definitely an interesting concept, and it does follow, in a way the canon set down by the first show. I like the plot, but to put it lightly, I HATE THE ANIMATION! I mean its definitely a step up from Kappa Mikey (especially the early eps, woah, those are killers) but it's not good for this kind of show, stated a few posts back. Maybe its just I yearn for a few years back when they had Oban, IGPX, and two years before, Speed Racer X. I can't get over the animation at all, I miss my I.G. animation :sweat:

[TheVofSteel]

Meh....I think AC should just stick with Kappa Mikey (which unfortunately is nearing completing its second season and hasn't been renewed :() and comedy shows.

[Bones Justice]

I saw the thirty minute preview on Nickelodeon for this but don't see the regular show on the schedule. Any idea when the remaining sixty minutes will air?

I was a fan of the original show when I was a kid so I gave this new show a try. I didn't hate this but I was disappointed. I'm not really picky about animation but I can see why people complained about it for the new show. Even though the original has even less animation, at least the artwork had style. The new show's artwork is just kind of bland.

The story was weak, too. Even though I haven't seen the conclusion, all of the "mystery" is very obvious except to the youngest viewers.

I really liked "Lost Hero"; what a cool-looking car, even if it was falling apart. Besides, I have always liked "sleeper" cars (looks like junk but faster than the rest). Too bad this car was destroyed.

Worst of all, the racing was terrible. Almost all of it looked very generic. I know that physics go out the window with these kinds of shows but I was disappointed that they went back to the silly notion that you can actually race backwards faster than the rest of the pack. At least the original Speed Racer had an excuse since he was driving the Mach 5!

I've seen pictures of the 1990's remake. I wish I could see that show because I really like the redesigned Mach 5.

[Radio Clash 5150]

Meh. Saw it, was rather underwhelmed. Like most here, I didn't like the animation either.

[ryuuseipro]

First off, Speed Racer is one of my favorite anime shows (aside from many shows that never made it to the US). I recommend the show (though I wish that the original Japanese version could be available here sometime). The reason the animation was as it was was because of budget, due to this being one of the first color TV anime in Japan (for TV anime, color was more expensive at the time)!

Those who do not know about the original Speed Racer may want to check out this awesome multi-part article at SciFiJapan.com (with in-depth info on the origin of Mach Go Go Go, as well as its premiere in America as Speed Racer):

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/04/06/here-he-comes-here-comes-speed-racer/
http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/04/13/go-speed-go/
http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/04/20/racers-start-your-engines/
http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/05/01/speed-racer-is-born/

That having been said, after seeing many, many, many promos on Nicktoons, I could not bring myself to watch Speed Racer: The Next Generation. It was awful, looking more like "Kappa Racer" (with shades of Harry Potter). Not a worthy follow-up to the original. Not even Peter Fernandez could save it. The theme song is the only good thing about it.

I WILL see the new movie when it comes out, though! That looks remarkably closer to the original anime series.

[creativerealms]

It was surprisingly interesting and I hate pretty much everything that has to do with racing.

[ROBOTRON]

Meh. Saw it, was rather underwhelmed. Like most here, I didn't like the animation either.

:sad: - I am not a fan of this show...it was really bad.

0/5 stars...fail.

I am a big fan of the old anime show, but this one was of poor quality. The only thing I liked was the robot monkey that repairs things.

I don't understand the whole virtual racing concept of the show. I'm assuming its supposed to be like Star Trek the next Generation's Holo-deck...and your environment is likewise. If thats so, then once the Mach 6 enters the virtual track...in reality there is nothing in there but you and your opponents...and the car isn't really moving at all. Star Trek somehow pulled off the holo-deck adventures but I cannot grasp the concept of speed into into a virtual non-existent world @ 200 MPH and then coming out on the other side with damage and interacting with other cars and people. At least on ST you went in by yourself (or with other people) but everything inside was virtual including the cars, weapons, environment, etc.

I know toons are fantasy and some parts are just that....fantasy, but this concept is too dumbed down for me. I may watch the show a couple more times, but its just stupid (no offense to the fans). Please let me know when the show matures much like JLU did.

[Zenze14]

Well I diden't see the old old speed racer but my mom did and she like it when she was a child and she watch one new Speed Racer: Next G episode with me and she diden't like it but I did so in my words I will rate this 10 out of 10

[Harlan_Phoenix]

Please let me know when the show matures much like JLU did.

Because Speed Racer and JLU are similar enough to operate on the same "maturity" scale.

[Lavenderpaw]

Because Speed Racer and JLU are similar enough to operate on the same "maturity" scale.

Well there's maturity,then there's mature.Figure out my meanings to these words and then place those meanings with the two shows.

[R-Taco]

The character models seem to be drawn using Flash's line & circle tools...It's really bugging me.

[Behonkiss]

Wow, the animation in this is really awful. I don't know how to describe it well, but when you have TV CG where a character stands perfectly still with just their mouth moving, then quickly snaps into another pose, it looks like crap. The driving parts look like an FMV from an old Playstation game.

Shame, really. I saw the teaser site of this a few months back that was just character designs and it looked a lot slicker.

[zoombie]

Is just me or does Spead Jr. sounds like Chip Skylark?

[Harlan_Phoenix]

Well there's maturity,then there's mature.Figure out my meanings to these words and then place those meanings with the two shows.

Well, it can't mature like JLU did because that would imply a massive, uncharacteristic expansion of the Speed Racer universe that isn't true to the source material.

And it can't be AS mature as JLU, because that again somewhat betrays the source material and its targeted at a different audience with different expectations and less buildup.

I stand by what I said.

[TheVofSteel]

To be honest, I liked the movie. I don't even have any reasons why...I just did. I missed last Friday's episode, but I will watch the one next Friday.

[Junko Black]

To be honest, I think its just a shallow marketing ploy to go watch the Speed Racer movie. And the animation's kinda stiff. :sweat:

[sdp]

This reminded me of the Mortal Kombat animated tie in DTV to the live actio movie, not the show that came after the DTV, it also featured subpar animation with subpar CGI.

[zoombie]

Next week's episode should be good. It is about Spead Sr., though it is already implied that is just another one of Z's tricks.